The Use of Laser in Dental Cleanings – What Is There to Know?
Introduction
Dental cleanings should take part in everyone’s lives. And when we say dental cleanings, we do not always mean the use of the good old toothbrush and toothpaste. And why is that, you ask? You might think that you are doing a great job washing your teeth after each meal and flossing as well, but deep dental cleanings which are done at your dentist’s office offer much deeper and more thorough cleaning that you could imagine. And while brushing your teeth after each meal, flossing and using mouthwash in between is a must and you should never skip a ritual such as this one, we kindly recommend you looking into the option of getting a deep dental cleaning as well. If you are interested in keeping tooth decay, caries, periodontal disease, and so many dangerous oral health risks as far as away as possible from you, then you might want to schedule a dental cleaning as soon as possible. But not just any dental cleaning – we recommend you get a dental cleaning where a laser is used. Why do you ask? In today’s article, you will get familiar with everything that there is to know about deep dental cleanings, focusing on the use of dental cleanings done with the use of a laser. Let’s find out, shall we?
What do you need to know about dental cleanings?
Perhaps your doctor has recommended you to get a dental cleaning in the past. Perhaps you have already gotten one so you are familiar with the concept. So here is a little update for anyone who has never gotten a dental cleaning before and wonders what this term stands for. Dental cleanings refer to the removal of gathered up plaque, bacteria, and anything that might have stuck in between your teeth with the sole purpose to get it off the teeth aiming to prevent caries, tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease, is among the most common teeth and gum diseases known to men. Let’s clear these terms up a bit. Tooth decay refers to the process of demineralization of the tooth enamel to which dental caries, also known as cavities, follows due to the gather up of plaque from where the bacteria release acids and causes the destruction of the tooth enamel. Then we have gingivitis which is a condition which characterizes itself with gum inflammation and bleeding of the gums which usually occurs while brushing the teeth. And last but not least – a Periodontal disease which is an infectious disease of the gums and teeth, caused by various reasons of which smoking and bad oral hygiene are among the biggest ones. Periodontal disease causes the gums to get inflamed, the teeth to get loose and eventually fall out. We all know that these oral diseases carry a lot of health risks with them, especially when it comes to periodontal disease which can easily lead to heart disease[i], diabetes, cancer[ii], and even stroke. Brushing, flossing, and scrubbing are all dental cleaning techniques but there is also a professional dental cleaning that you should schedule regularly if you are interested in keeping your oral health untouched. Of course, you should brush and floss your teeth on a daily level, but you should also remind yourself to schedule a dental cleaning every once in a while. A dental cleaning is a safe, fast, non-invasive method that will help you preserve and improve your oral health and protect yourself against any oral diseases and the risks that they bring. Dental cleanings, as any other dental approach and method, requires improvements to be made over time so that it can become better and better until it is able to produce the best results that you can imagine. We have been lucky enough to have researchers all around the world to work on this cleaning method and bring us what we have to benefit from today – the dental cleaning with a laser.
The use of laser in dental cleanings
The laser has been used on multiple occasions especially in the terms of medicine, including dental medicine. The laser has been used in minimal and major dental procedures and now in dental cleanings as well. Nowadays, most dentists practice the use of laser – diode laser as a part of their dental cleanings. In most cases, laser takes part in deep dental cleanings[iii], routine dental cleanings, and dental debridement. The reason why it is the diode laser that is most commonly being used is the fact that the diode laser has a high energy which is transmitted through a fine tip to the area that should be treated. The high energy that the diode laser uses kills [iv]off high amounts of bacterial cells, focusing on getting rid of the bacteria that is present in the areas between the teeth and the gums. After the diode laser has been used, you can rest assure that no bacteria is being left behind. The diode laser is also used as a part of the treatment [v]plan for periodontitis, removing any inflamed gum tissue. This has a few beneficial effects that you need to focus on – by removing any present bacteria, the laser dental cleaning reduces your risk of periodontal disease as well as caries, tooth decay and gingivitis but also keeps your teeth and gums healthy and in shape as they should be. The laser dental cleaning is a safe, easy and non-invasive cleaning technique that you will surely benefit from.
Preparation for laser dental cleaning
When it comes to the laser dental cleaning, no special preparations are required by the patient. All that you have to do is find a professional dentist who is able to perform such cleaning and schedule your appointment so that you and your dentist, together, can discuss whether or not this is the right approach for you. Once again, this is a safe, fast and non-invasive procedure that will leave you with a stunning white smile, no plaque, bacteria or risk of developing periodontal disease, gingivitis, or cavities in the near future. So go ahead, schedule your first laser dental cleaning and feel the changes as they come!
Conclusion
Dental cleanings got upgraded with the use of a laser, especially a diode laser! Nowadays, patients can rest calm and assure that every bit of gathered up bacteria has been removed for good and every inch of the risk of periodontal disease, gingivitis, and tooth decay has gone with it. That is why laser dental cleanings should take a part in everyone’s lives because they are just as important in maintaining a good oral health as the regular check-ups at the dentist’s office are. Do not hesitate – schedule a checkup and a deep dental cleaning at your dentist and make sure that you ask for a laser one as well!
References
[i] Humphrey LL, Fu R, Buckley DI, Freeman M, Helfand M, (2008), Periodontal disease and coronary heart disease incidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of General Internal Medicine 23(12): 2079–2086
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2596495/
[ii] Rajesh KS, Thomas D, Hedge S, Arun Kumar MS, (2013), Poor periodontal health: a cancer risk?, Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology 17(6): 706–710
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3917197/
[iii] Jurič IB, Anić I, (2014), The use of lasers in disinfection and cleaning of root canals: a review, Acta stomatologica croatica 48(1):6-15
http://www.ascro.hr/fileadmin/user_upload/2014/Number_1-2014/Bago_Juric_2014-1.pdf
[iv] Romanos G, (2015), Current concepts in the use of lasers in periodontal and implant dentistry, Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology 19(5): 490–494
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4645532/
[v] Verma SK, Maheshwari S, Singh RK, Chaudhari PK, (2012), Laser in dentistry: An innovative tool in modern dental practice, National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery 3(2): 124–132
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700144/